Recommended Exercises Before Tummy Tuck?

Question

I am considering a tummy tuck after I lose about 50lbs. Are there any certain exercises I could be doing now to help with the surgery and speed the recovery?  I am currently walking about 3.5 miles for 60 minutes a day.

Elizabeth Slass Lee, MD · Answer

It is great that you are embarking on a weight loss/health program before tummy tuck surgery. Being in good overall shape will help with your recovery. Make sure you are eating plenty of protein. Losing weight can lead to nutritional deficiencies and you need to be well nourished to heal a surgical wound. Aerobic exercise will help you lose weight and improve your heart and lung health. Be cautious about trying to do heavy abdominal exercises before the surgery as this may worsen rectus diastasis ( the muscle separation that is repaired during the tummy tuck).

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

A healthy well balanced diet with nutritional supplements and added Vitamin C is excellent. Avoidance of smoking for 4 weeks is essential. I strongly encourage patients to consider a Pilates style regimen of core strengthening exercise after surgery and embarking on the proper routine pre-operatively is an excellent idea.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

You are to be congratulated for your motivation to lose the weight before having a tummy tuck, since your results will be better and the surgery safer. 
It doesn't really matter what type of exercise you do in terms of the recovery but there are some guidelines to keep in mind during the weight loss period. Most important is to recognize the importance of building some muscle mass rather than focusing on cardio exclusively. 
Muscle burns more calories at rest and while exercising, so it gives a real boost to the whole weight loss plan. Working on the abdominal muscles may seem like a good idea but working on larger muscles like the thighs will be more useful.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-
There are no specific exercises that would demonstrably improve or speed your recovery from a tummy tuck procedure.
Having said that, however, I do think that being in generally good health and in good shape does make the recovery from any surgery simpler for the average patient.
You're on the right track with your exercise regimen- keep it up, but don't worry that you might be doing the wrong exercises or that a different regimen might somehow make your recovery or outcome better.

Francisco Canales, MD · Answer

The most important thing you can do is stick to your plan of losing the 50 pounds. Walking 3 or 4 miles a day is a great way to help you lose weight. There are no particular exercises I would recommend. Stick to your plan and good luck1

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

The BEST thing you can do to get the Best Tummy Tuck results is to loose as much of the excess weight in a healthy fashion. The closer you are to your ideal weight, the better your result will be. No Exercises are needed before a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty).
Several years ago I did a Tummy tuck on a woman who had 2 children and because she was married to a Marine did 1,000 sit ups a day!!! At surgery, she had THE MOST BEAUTIFUL six pack muscles I have ever seen. The problem was they were still located sideways where the two pregnancies left them.
exercise will not fuse the muscles together or take in the generalized abdominal wall laxity from your weight gain.
Eat healthy. Exercise. Loose the weight gradually and you will do great.
Dr. P. Aldea

Recommended Exercises Before Tummy Tuck?

Answers (6)

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